Raised floor system and support apparatus

ABSTRACT

An article support apparatus for use with a raised floor system including a plurality of support pedestals, stringer elements and floor panels, the support apparatus includes an article support member configured to support articles thereon; and a mounting mechanism connectable with the article support member and adapted to mount the article support member to at least one stringer element of a raised floor system. The mounting mechanism further includes at least one fastener for the mounting thereof.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is a continuation of co-pending U.S.application Ser. No. 09/818,318 filed Mar. 27, 2001, which is acontinuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/524,033filed Mar. 13, 2000 which is a continuation-in-part of co-pendingInternational Application Serial No. PCT/US98/1905 1, with internationalfiling date of Sep. 11, 1998; which application designates the UnitedStates of America and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No.08/927,506 filed Sep. 11, 1997 as a continuation-in-part application.The contents of each of these applications are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to raised floor systems and moreparticularly to a cable support assembly for use in connection with araised floor system.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Raised floor systems have been developed to provide theadditional utility space needed in various different conduit or cableintensive environments where the original construction did not provideadequate means of accommodating the vast amount of conduit or cable. Forexample, probably the most common environment requiring vast amounts ofadditional protected space is for large computing systems. Suchinstallations were typically made in facilities which simply were notdesigned to accommodate the vast amount of cable runs required tooperate the typical large computer system. Other applications whereadditional utility space is required include mechanical systems, e.g.,heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems.

[0006] A common problem experienced in utilizing raised floor systems ismaintaining organization of the various cables, conduits, pipes, etc.which are routed beneath the floor system. One solution to this problemis to provide a cable tray system beneath the floor panels of the raisedfloor to contain and direct cables along their respective pathways. Anexample of such a cable tray system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,596,095 which issued on Jun. 24, 1986 to Chalfant (the “'095 ChalfantPatent”). The '095 Chalfant Patent features a modular cable trayassembly which is formed from modular sections which include a number ofdifferent components all of which must be separately assembled to formthe cable tray. For example, the cable tray includes separate straightsections, horizontal bend sections, horizontal tee sections, horizontalcross-intersection sections, as well as splice plates to connect thevarious components to each other as well as supporting the assembledcable tray above the building floor. Such a cable tray assembly is,therefore, independent of the raised floor system.

[0007] One drawback of such a raised floor and cable support system isthe additional labor required to assemble the various components of theseparate raised floor and cable support systems. In geographic regionswith particularly high labor rates, the cost of erecting such a laborintensive dual system could prove to be cost prohibitive.

[0008] Another drawback of such a system is that the amount of spacerequired by the structural supporting components of the two separatesystems leaves less space available for carrying and organizing largernumbers of cable runs.

[0009] Yet another drawback of installing independent raised floor andcable support systems is the cost of procuring the materials requiredfor two separate support structures. These additional labor and materialcosts can significantly increase the overall cost of installing acomplete system.

[0010] An alternative solution to supporting cable runs below a raisedfloor assembly is proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,932 which issued onAug. 27, 1996 to Mead (the “'932 Mead Patent”). The '932 Mead Patentfeatures a height adjustable cable tray support system which includes anumber of separate components which must be assembled to form the cablesupport system. Plates which support the cable tray are secured bywelding or other methods to the pedestals of the existing raised floorsystem featured in the '932 Mead Patent. Additionally, support rods arerequired in the '932 Mead Patent cable tray support system, whichsupport the cable tray on the support plates.

[0011] One disadvantage of such a system is the labor intensive natureof the installation. In particular, each support plate must beseparately secured to the floor system pedestals and the support rodsand cable tray sections must be installed. This combined with the costof the material components required for such a system can addsignificant cost to the installation of the complete system.

[0012] Accordingly, there is a continuing need for improved raised floorand cable management systems which require fewer number of components. Aneed also exists for raised floor and cable management systems which areeasier to install than existing systems and which provide increasedstorage capacity and accessibility.

SUMMARY

[0013] The present disclosure provides a raised floor system whichovercomes the above-noted and other disadvantages of existing raisedfloor and cable management systems. Additionally, the present disclosureprovides a raised floor system which requires many fewer components toassemble thereby resulting in greatly reduced material and labor coststo install a complete raised floor and cable management system or toupgrade an existing raised floor system with the presently disclosedcable support assembly.

[0014] In one aspect of the present disclosure a raised floor system isprovided which includes a raised floor system, which includes aplurality of support pedestals; a plurality of floor panels; and a cablesupport apparatus which includes: a first elongated stringer elementdefining a horizontally disposed surface which is configured anddimensioned to support a portion of at least one of the plurality offloor panels, the first elongated stringer element being supported apredetermined distance away from a base by a first pair of the pluralityof support pedestals; a second elongated stringer element defining ahorizontally disposed surface which is configured and dimensioned tosupport a portion of at least one of the plurality of floor panels, thesecond elongated stringer element being supported a predetermineddistance away from a base by a second pair of the plurality of supportpedestals and a channel section suspended from the first and secondstringer elements, the channel section being configured and dimensionedto support lengths of cable thereon.

[0015] The channel section may be formed of an open architecturedefining a plurality of openings therein. Additionally, the channelsection may be formed of wire stock. The channel section may furtherinclude a plurality of support members extending from the firstelongated stringer element to the second elongated stringer element. Insuch an arrangement, the plurality of support members are preferablymaintained at a predetermined distance from each other.

[0016] The channel section may be suspended from the first and secondelongated stringers by permanently securing the channel section to thefirst and second elongated stringers.

[0017] In another aspect of the present disclosure a cable supportapparatus is provided for use with a raised floor system including aplurality of support pedestals and floor panels. The cable supportapparatus includes first and second stringer elements, each of thestringer elements being adapted for removable engagement with respectivesupport pedestals of a raised floor system such that the first andsecond stringer elements interconnect the respective support pedestalsof the raised floor system, each of the first and second stringerelements defining a horizontally disposed upper surface which isconfigured and dimensioned to support a portion of a floor panel of theraised floor system; and a channel section suspended from the first andsecond stringer elements, the channel section being configured anddimensioned to support lengths of cable thereon.

[0018] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a modular cablesupport assembly is provided which includes a plurality of supportpedestals; a plurality of cable support apparatus each of whichincludes: a first elongated stringer element defining a horizontallydisposed upper surface thereof which is configured and dimensioned tosupport at least a portion of a floor panel, the first elongatedstringer element being supported a predetermined distance away from abase by a first pair of the plurality of support pedestals; a secondelongated stringer element defining a horizontally disposed uppersurface thereof which is configured and dimensioned to support at leasta portion of a floor panel, the second elongated stringer element beingsupported a predetermined distance away from a base by a second pair ofthe plurality of support pedestals; and a channel section suspended fromthe first and second stringer elements, the channel section beingconfigured and dimensioned to support lengths of cable thereon.

[0019] In a still further aspect of the present disclosure, a cablesupport apparatus is provided for use with a raised floor systemincluding a plurality of support pedestals, stringers and floor panels,the cable support apparatus including a channel section configured anddimensioned to support lengths of cable thereon; and means forsuspending the channel section from the stringers of the raised floorsystem. The channel section may be formed of an open architecture.

[0020] In a further embodiment, the present disclosure provides asupport apparatus for use with a raised floor system including aplurality of support pedestals and floor panels. The support apparatusincludes a support bracket having first and second end portions beingconfigured and dimensioned to rest upon at least a portion of a supportpedestal of a raised floor system and beneath a floor panel of theraised floor system. The embodiment also includes an intermediateportion extending between the first and second end portions, and anarticle support member depending from the intermediate portion tosupport articles thereon a distance below the raised floor panels and adistance above a base.

[0021] A still further embodiment includes first and second supportbrackets each having first and second end portions being configured anddimensioned to rest upon at least a portion of a support pedestal of araised floor system and beneath a floor panel of the raised floorsystem, and an intermediate portion extending between the first andsecond end portions, an article support member depending from the firstand second support brackets to support articles thereon a distance belowthe raised floor panels and a distance above a base.

[0022] In a still further embodiment, an article support apparatus isprovided for use with a raised floor system. The support apparatusincludes an article support member configured to support articlesthereon and a mounting mechanism, such as a suspension assembly, adaptedto connect the article support member to a stringer element of theraised floor system.

[0023] The present disclosure also provides a method of installing asupport apparatus in a raised floor system including a plurality ofsupport pedestals and floor panels. The method includes the steps ofinserting a first end portion of a support bracket configured anddimensioned to fit in an opening defined at least partially by a portionof a first support pedestal disposed beneath a floor panel, moving thefirst end portion of the support bracket laterally towards the firstsupport pedestal such that a second end portion of the support bracketmoves away from a second support pedestal spaced a predetermineddistance away from the first support pedestal, elevating the second endportion of the support bracket into horizontal alignment with an openingdefined at least partially by a portion of the second support pedestal,and moving the second end portion of the support apparatus toward thesecond support pedestal such that the first and second end portions ofthe support apparatus are positioned in the respective openings definedat least partially by portions of the first and second supportpedestals.

[0024] The present disclosure further provides alternative method ofinstalling an article support apparatus in a raised floor system whichincludes a plurality of support pedestals, stringer elements and floorpanels. The method includes the steps of providing an article supportapparatus configured and dimensioned to support articles thereon and asuspension assembly connected to the article support member, thesuspension assembly including an adjustable fastener; inserting theadjustable fastener of the suspension assembly into a channel portiondefined in a stringer of the raised floor system; and adjusting theadjustable fastener and thereby mounting the article support member tothe stringer of the raised floor system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Preferred embodiments of the presently disclosed raised floorsystem and cable support assembly are described herein with reference tothe drawings, wherein:

[0026]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a raised floorsystem constructed in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0027]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cable support assemblyembodiment constructed in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0028]FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of acable support assembly constructed in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

[0029]FIG. 3 is a side view of the cable support assembly of FIG. 2 inplace in a raised floor system;

[0030]FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a cable supportassembly in a raised floor system of the present disclosure;

[0031]FIG. 5 is a side view showing the cable support assembly partiallycut away as installed in the raised floor system of the presentdisclosure;

[0032]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of thepresently disclosed cable support assembly;

[0033]FIG. 7 is a side partial view of an alternative embodiment formounting the cable support assembly to stringers of a raised floorsystem;

[0034]FIG. 8 is a side partial view of a further alternative embodimentfor mounting the cable support assembly to stringers of a raised floorsystem;

[0035]FIG. 9. is a perspective view with parts separated of oneembodiment of a secondary support apparatus and components of a raisedfloor assembly, constructed in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0036]FIG. 10A is a top view of a bearing surface of a support pedestal;

[0037]FIG. 10B is a top view of a bearing surface of a further supportpedestal;

[0038]FIG. 11 is a side view of an assembly sequence of a secondarysupport apparatus;

[0039]FIG. 12 is a side view of a further assembly sequence of a supportapparatus;

[0040]FIG. 13 is a side view of a further assembly sequence of a supportapparatus;

[0041]FIG. 14 is an enlarged partial perspective view showing one end ofa secondary support apparatus assembled in a raised floor supportsystem;

[0042]FIG. 15 is a perspective view with parts separated of a furtherembodiment of a secondary support apparatus and components of a raisedfloor assembly, constructed in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0043]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of acable support assembly incorporated in a raised floor support systemconstructed in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0044]FIG. 17 is a perspective view with parts separated of one sectionof a cable support assembly of the embodiment of FIG. 16;

[0045]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of acable support assembly section constructed in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

[0046]FIG. 19 is a partial perspective view of a further alternativeembodiment of a support bracket;

[0047]FIG. 20A is a side schematic view of an installation step for theembodiment of FIG. 19;

[0048]FIG. 20B is a view similar to FIG. 20A of a further installationstep;

[0049]FIG. 20C is a further view similar to FIGS. 20A and 20B of afurther installation step;

[0050]FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a further alternative embodimentof a support assembly in association with a raised floor system;

[0051]FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a portion of an articlesupport member of the embodiment of FIG. 21; and

[0052]FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing an article support member asmounted to a stringer element, in accordance with the embodiment of FIG.21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0053] Referring now in specific detail to the drawings in which likereference numerals identify similar or identical elements throughout theseveral views, and initially to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a raised floorsystem constructed in accordance with the present disclosure is showngenerally as raised floor system 10.

[0054] Generally, raised floor system 10 includes a series of supportpedestals such as stanchions 12 which are disposed in a predeterminedarray on a base such as floor 13. A cable support assembly is providedin raised floor system 10 and includes a series of cable supportapparatus such as cable baskets 14 which are disposed relative oneanother to form a predetermined passageway for carrying cables or thelike. thereon. Preferably cable baskets 14 form an integral part offloor system 10. Stanchions 12 are interconnected by stringer members 16so as to define a lattice work which receives individual floor panels 18therein to form the completed raised floor system 10.

[0055] In certain installations it may be desirable or necessary toinstall the cable support assembly as a stand-alone modular assembly. Itis within the scope of the present disclosure, that in such aninstallation, cable baskets 14 will be supported a predetermineddistance above the building floor 13 by independent stanchions 12 orother suitable supports which are not also used to support the raisedfloor system 10.

[0056] Referring now to FIG. 2, cable basket 14 includes first andsecond elongated stringer elements 20 and 22, respectively. A channelsection is suspended from stringers 20 and 22 so as to form a portion ofa passageway for supporting cable runs thereon. In the illustratedembodiment, the channel section is formed of an open ended wire stockbasket having longitudinal sections 26 attached to transverse sections24. Transverse sections 24 include riser portions or legs 28 which areattached to the underside of stringers 20 and 22. The various elementsof cable support assembly 14 are preferably joined by suitable knowntechniques, such as by welding.

[0057] Although the illustrated channel sections are formed of wirestock material, it is within the scope of the present disclosure to useother materials as well. For example, the channel section may be formedof solid or woven fabrications of various metals or any other materialsuitable for supporting cable runs thereon. One illustrative example ofsuch an alternative channel section is shown in FIG. 2A wherein channelsection 114 includes vertical side wall portions 114A and 114B whichextend upwardly from a central horizontal bottom panel 114C. Such achannel section 114 may be particularly useful in supporting equipmentor the like above the base or building floor. Also illustrated in FIG.2A is an alternative mounting system which will be described in greaterdetail in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 9-14.

[0058] Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, the integration of cable baskets 14into raised floor system 10 will now be described in detail. Preferably,a single section of cable basket 14 is supported by four stanchions 12(as shown in FIG. 1). However, it is within the scope of the presentdisclosure that cable baskets 14 may be modified so as to be supportedby more or less than four stanchions 12.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 3, cable baskets 14 are supported by stanchions12 such that the longitudinal and transverse elements 26 and 24respectively are spaced a predetermined distance from the permanentfloor 13. When installed, cable baskets 14 do not interfere with theplacement or fit of floor panels 18. Rather, cable baskets 14 aredesigned to be incorporated into existing raised floor systems withoutdeparting from the factory design specifications of the floor system.For such installations, cable baskets 14 replace parallel end to endlinks of stringers 16 from the existing raised floor system.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 4, cable support assembly sections 14 includestringer elements such as stringers 20 and 22 which have a crosssectional “top hat” shape that includes an inverted U-shaped crosssection portion having flanges 32 and 34 formed on either side.Horizontal surface 30 forms the uppermost surface of stringers 20 and22. It is on surface 30 which a peripheral flange 36 formed on floorpanels 18 rests. As best illustrated in FIG. 5, the peripheral flanges36 of adjacent floor panels 18 are both supported by a single stringerelement 20 or 22 on surface 30. In order to maintain the relativepositioning of stringer elements 20 and 22 with respect to stanchion 12,stringer elements 20 and 22 are provided with notched portions 38 whichare configured and dimensioned to fit over bracket portions 40 ofstanchion base plate 42.

[0061] Stringer elements 20 and 22 are further provided with preformedholes 44 which when properly installed are vertically aligned withpreformed holes 46 formed in stanchion base plate 42. In this manner,stringer elements 20 and 22 may be secured to stanchion 12 to provideadded structural integrity to the overall system. As is common inconventional floor systems, floor system 10 is preferably provided witha height adjustment mechanism to adjust the height of stanchion baseplate 42 in order to accommodate slight variances in the subfloor 13.This height adjustment capability may be facilitated by, for example,threaded stud 48 being received in a threaded bore 50 formed in baseplate 42 at one end and in a threaded opening of stanchion 12. A nut 52is provided and is threaded around stud 48 positioned adjacent the topof stanchion tube to facilitate adjustment and locking of the verticalpositioning of base plate 42.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 6, an alternative method of attaching the cablebasket to the stringers is shown wherein cable basket 14 has portions 14a and 14 b which are formed extending outwardly from the upper portionsof riser legs 28. Stringers 120 and 122, which are otherwise the same asstringers 20 and 22, are provided with a series of through-holes 120 aand 120 b, respectively, which may be punched out during formation ofthe stringers. In this manner, cable basket 14 may be suspended fromstringers by inserting leg portions 14 a and 14 b in through-holes 120 aand 120 b. It is envisioned that all of the stringers of a raised floorsystem may be provided with through-holes similar to 120 a and 120 b sothat a cable support system may be installed at any time and placedbetween any parallel rows of stringers having such support holes.

[0063] Alternatively, in existing raised floor systems which do notalready have stringers with pre-formed cable basket receiving holes,such as holes 120 a and 120 b, the stringers positioned where it isdesired to support a series of cable baskets 14 could be replaced withstringers having the pre-formed holes.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 7, in another alternative embodiment formounting or suspending cable baskets 14 from stringers 20, angledbrackets 21 are provided which have leg portions 21 a and 21 b. Legportion 21 a includes a through hole (shown in phantom lines) whichreceives leg portion 14 a of cable basket 14. Leg portion 21 b is boltedinto the channel formed in the underside of stringer 20 by an adjustablefastener or expanding fastener such as wedge-bolt 25.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 8, in a still further alternative embodimentfor suspending cable baskets 14 from stringers 20, a series of clips 23are positioned on stringers 20 by having leg portions 23 a and 23 b restupon flanges 32 and 34, respectively. Leg portions 14 a of baskets 14are inserted into receiving holes formed in clips 23. Thus, baskets 14are suspended from clips 23. In this manner, existing floor systemstringers could be utilized to support the added cable baskets definingthe cable support assembly.

[0066] Referring now to FIGS. 9-14, a secondary support apparatus foruse in conjunction with a raised floor system will now be described indetail. A support bracket 220 is provided which is configured anddimensioned to support an article support member such as basket 14.Basket 14 has been described with respect to previously describedembodiments of the present disclosure and will not be addressed infurther detail herein.

[0067] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, only one frame 220, onepair of pedestals 12, and one stringer element 16 are shown. A secondpair of pedestals 12, stringer element 16, floor panel 18 (FIG. 1), andframe 220 which are identical to the illustrated structure form part ofone section of a raised floor system but are not shown for sake ofclarity.

[0068] Support bracket 220 is preferably stamped out of a flat metalstock and is configured and dimensioned to depend from an adjacent pairof pedestals 12 of a raised floor assembly. However, it is envisionedthat for different applications, support bracket may be formed ofmaterials having other cross-sectional geometries, such as for example,round stock.

[0069] Support bracket 220 is particularly adapted to be installed in anexisting raised floor assembly, such as the one illustrated in FIG. 1.However, support bracket 220 advantageously does not require the removalor substitution of the existing stringer elements 16 of the raised floorassembly. Installation of frames 220 does not alter the configuration orcompromise the existing raised floor assembly.

[0070] Referring to FIGS. 10A-13, support bracket 220 includes an upperportion 220 a and a lower portion 220 b. Lower portion 220 b extendsdownwardly away from upper portion 220 a. Support bracket 220 includesnotches 220 c formed in the lower edges of transversely extendingportions which extend out each end of support bracket 220.

[0071] To install support bracket 220, as shown in FIG. I1, a first endis inserted in the U-shaped opening of stringer element 16 and passedover bracket portion 40 of stanchion base plate 42. Support bracket 220is slid over until the second end is clear of bracket portion 40 ofstanchion base plate 42 of the adjacent pedestal 12. As shown in FIG.12, the second end of support bracket 220 is elevated until thetransversely extended portion is clear of the top of bracket portion 40.Finally, as shown in FIG. 13, support bracket 220 is moved so thatnotches 220 c align with the respective bracket portions 40 of stanchionbase plates 42 and support bracket is lowered so that notches 220 c reston the respective bracket portions 40.

[0072] In this manner, mounting holes which are formed in the lowerportion 220 b are situated below the bottom of stringer elements 16.Thus, as shown in FIG. 14, basket 14 may then be inserted in a similarfashion as shown and described with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 6.Once installed, basket 14 is locked in place.

[0073] A further embodiment of a support apparatus for use inconjunction with a raised floor assembly is illustrated in FIG. 15 assupport bracket 320. Support bracket 320 includes similar mountingstructure to support bracket 220. Support bracket 320 includes lowerportion 320 which extends downwardly a predetermined distance from upperportion 320 a. Lower portion 320 b may be any desired length up to thelimit imposed by whatever surface, be it planar or irregular, is betweenadjacent pedestals 12. Thus, lower portion 320 b provides a mountingsurface which is suspended above the surface which the raised floorassembly is positioned over. In this manner, a variety of articles maybe supported below the floor panels of the raised floor assembly butabove the surface upon which the raised floor assembly rests. Forexample, a power strip 330 may be mounted to support bracket 320.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 16, an alternative embodiment of a cablesupport assembly as incorporated in the structural support system of araised floor system is shown disposed along a single linear array ofstanchions 12 of a raised floor system. As shown in FIG. 17, a cablesupport assembly section 414 defines two separate cable support pathwayswhich are defined by a series of spaced apart cable support bracketmembers each having a pair of partially enclosed areas 415 and 417defined by segments 415 a, 415 b, 415 c ; and 417 a, 417 b, 417 c,respectively. The cable support brackets are preferably formed of stockwhich is readily formed into the desired shape such as illustrated inFIG. 17, for example, wire stock. Each of the cable support brackets areprovided with a loop section 419 at the outboard ends of the partiallyenclosed areas 415 and 417. Loop sections 419 may be formed such thatthe loop is oriented outwardly from the partially enclosed areas 415 and417, as illustrated in FIG. 17, or loops 419 may be formed to beoriented facing inwardly in the partially enclosed areas.

[0075]FIG. 18 illustrates a further alternative embodiment of a cablesupport assembly section 514 which is similar to cable support assemblysection 414 of FIG. 17 except that a single cable pathway is defined bya series of cable bracket members secured to a stinger element 16. Eachof the cable support bracket members include a partially enclosed area515 defined by segments 515 a, 515 b, and 515 c. A loop portion 519 isalso formed at the outboard end of the partially enclosed area 515 andmay be formed as noted above with respect to FIG. 17.

[0076] Referring now to FIGS. 19-20C, a further alternative supportapparatus embodiment for use in conjunction with a raised floor systemwill now be described in detail. A support bracket 620 is provided whichis configured and dimensioned to support an article support member suchas those featured in the previously described embodiments.

[0077] In FIGS. 19-20C, only one support bracket 620, and the top plateportion of one pair of pedestals 112, and a portion of a cable supportbasket 614 are shown. In one particularly useful application, a singlesupport bracket 620 may be utilized to mount an article support membersuch as cable support assembly section 414 (FIGS. 16 and 17) or cablesupport section 514 (FIG. 18). The article support member may be eithera single section like that shown in FIG. 15 or it may form a singlesection in a series of sections arranged to form one or more pathwaysfor cables, as shown in FIG. 16.

[0078] Alternatively, a pair of support brackets may be utilized tosupport the two sides of broader article support member, such as cablesupport basket 614 (shown in partial view in FIG. 19). Cable supportbasket 614 is similar to basket 14 except that stringer element 16 isnot utilized. Rather, support bracket 620 takes its place. In such anapplication, a second pair of pedestals 112, and support bracket 620which are identical to the illustrated structure form the other half ofthe presently disclosed embodiment, but are not shown for sake ofclarity.

[0079] In applications such as those exemplary illustrations describedabove as well as others envisioned within the scope of the presentdisclosure, instead of being attached to stringers 16, a series ofarticle support members are attached to a series of support brackets620, respectively. Such a configuration is particularly useful in raisedfloor systems wherein it is either not desired or not necessary toreplace the stringers of a raised floor system or no separate stringerelements are present.

[0080] In a raised floor system which does not have separate stringerelements, the floor tiles themselves are configured and dimensioned toprovide the necessary support to meet the load requirements for thefloor system.

[0081] Installation of an assembled support structure which includessupport bracket 620 is shown schematically in FIGS. 20A, 20B, and 20C.Such installation is similar to that of bracket 220 as shown anddescribed in connection with FIGS. 11, 12, and 13. The principaldifference being that bracket 620 includes neck portions 620 a and 620 bformed at either end. In this manner, bracket 620 facilitates thepositioning of an attached article support member at a vertical levelspaced a predetermined distance below the plane of the pedestal topportions 612. Brackets 620 thus provide greater versatility in thatarticle support members attached thereto may be installed in raisedfloor systems which have stringers, as shown in FIGS. 9-13, or in raisedfloor systems which do not include stringers, as shown in FIGS. 19-20C.

[0082] As illustrated in FIGS. 20A, 20B, and 20C support bracket 620 isconfigured and dimensioned to fit in an opening 612 a formed in thepedestal top portion 612, such that upper horizontal extensions 620 cand 620 d are alternately inserted into openings 612 a of adjacentpedestals as illustrated by arrows “A”, “B”, and “C” in FIGS. 20A, 20B,and 20C.

[0083] Support brackets 620 are shown formed of rectangularcross-section bar stock. However, it is envisioned that for differentapplications, support brackets 620 may be formed of materials havingother cross-sectional geometries.

[0084] Support brackets 620 are particularly adapted to be installed inan existing raised floor assembly which may or may not include separatestringer elements. This versatile feature is possible because, supportbrackets 620 advantageously do not require the removal or substitutionof existing stringer elements 16 of raised floor assembly. Installationof support brackets 620 does not alter the configuration or compromisethe existing raised floor assembly. Upon installation, support brackets620 may be secured in place by suitable fasteners, such as, for example,set screw 613 shown in FIG. 19.

[0085] Referring now to FIGS. 21-23, a further alternative supportapparatus for use in association with a raised floor system is describedin detail hereinafter. An article support apparatus 720 is providedwhich is configured and dimensioned to mount to a stringer element 710which is in turn configured to mount on the support pedestals 12 ofraised floor system 10.

[0086] As in FIG. 22 where only a portion of article support apparatus720 is shown, article support apparatus 720 includes article supportmember 722 and mounting mechanism such as suspension assembly 730.Article support member 722 is configured to support articles, such ascables, thereon. Suspension assembly 730 includes a connection barmember such as bracket 732 connected to the support member 722, and anadjustable fastener 734. Adjustable fastener 734 and bracket 732 may bein various configurations to provide adequate mounting of the supportmember 722 to the stringer element of the raised floor system. Forexample, see the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 as described hereinabove.In the present embodiment of FIGS. 21-23, adjustable fastener 734includes a base or head portion 736 (shown in phantom lines underbracket 732) an elongated shank portion 738 extending from head portion736 and a latch member 740. The fastener 734 may further include aspring 742 disposed between the latch member 740 and the head portion736 or the bar 732.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 21, for the mounting of the support apparatus720 to the stringer 710, latch members 740 of the adjustable fasteners734 are initially aligned with the lateral opening of channel portions712 (best shown at the left side of article support member 722 in FIG.21) defined along the bottom of stringer element 710.

[0088] The mounting operation of article support apparatus 720 is bestshown in FIG. 23. Article support member is urged upwardly such thatlatch members 740 enter into channel 712 and are clear of end surfaces714 as shown in FIG. 23. The disposition of spring 742 between bracket732 and latch member 740 coaxially about elongated shank portion 738facilitates latch member 740 remaining vertically clear above endsurfaces 714. After inserting the latch members 740 to the channels 712,each head portion 736 of the adjustable fasteners 734 is rotated causingthe respective latch member 740 to rotate out of alignment with channel712 and be drawn tightly against end surfaces 714 of the stringer 710.Latch member 740 may be elongated sufficiently such that upon rotation,the ends thereof abut the inner wall of channel 712 to prevent furtherrotation of the latch member 740 as head portion 736 is further rotated.

[0089] Although the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosurehave been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings,it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to thoseprecise embodiments, and that various other changes and modificationsmay be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing fromthe scope or spirit of the disclosure. All such changes andmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An article support apparatus for use with araised floor system including a plurality of support pedestals, stringerelements and floor panels, the support apparatus comprising: an articlesupport member configured to support articles thereon; and a mountingmechanism connectable with the article support member and adapted tomount the article support member to at least one stringer element of araised floor system.
 2. The support apparatus as recited in claim 1,wherein the mounting mechanism includes at least one connection member,the at least one connection member being connectable with the articlesupport member and adapted to mount the article support member to thestringer elements.
 3. The support apparatus as recited in claim 2,wherein the mounting mechanism further includes at least one fasteneradapted to engage with the connection member.
 4. The support apparatusas recited in claim 3, wherein the at least one fastener includes a headportion, an elongated shank portion extending from the head portion anda latch member attached to the elongated shank portion.
 5. The supportapparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the at least one connectionmember includes a connection bar connected to the article supportmember.
 6. The support apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the atleast one connection member includes a bracket having at least one holeto receive a portion of the article support member.
 7. The supportapparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the at least one connectionmember includes a clip having at least one hole to receive a portion ofthe article support member.
 8. An article support apparatus for use witha raised floor system including support pedestals, stringer elements andfloor panels, the article support apparatus comprising: an articlesupport member configured and dimensioned to support articles thereon; asuspension assembly adapted to connect the article support member to astringer element of the raised floor system such that the articlesupport member is suspended from the stringer element.
 9. The articlesupport apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the suspension assemblycomprises a clip which includes a leg portion which is configured anddimensioned to facilitate attachment of the clip to a portion of astringer of the raised floor system.
 10. The article support apparatusaccording to claim 9 wherein the leg portion is configured anddimensioned to rest upon a flange portion of the stringer.
 11. Thearticle support apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the suspensionassembly includes an adjustable fastener adjustable from a firstconfiguration to permit insertion of the adjustable fastener into achannel portion defined in a stringer of a raised floor system to asecond configuration wherein at least a portion of the adjustablefastener biases against the stringer element to facilitate suspension ofthe article support member from the stringer.
 12. The article supportapparatus according to claim 11 wherein the suspension assembly furtherincludes a bracket connected to the article support member and theadjustable fastener includes a wedge bolt adapted to connect the articlesupport member to the stringer.
 13. The article support apparatusaccording to claim 11 wherein the adjustable fastener includes a movablelatch.
 14. The article support apparatus according to claim 13 whereinthe adjustable fastener includes a spring disposed between a bolt headand the movable latch, which biases the latch away from the bolt head.15. A method of installing an article support apparatus in a raisedfloor system which includes a plurality of support pedestals, stingerelements and floor panels, the method comprising the steps of: providingan article support apparatus configured and dimensioned to supportarticles thereon, and a suspension assembly connected to the articlesupport member and including an adjustable fastener; inserting theadjustable fastener of the suspension assembly into a channel portiondefined in a stringer of the raised floor system; and adjusting theadjustable fastener and thereby mounting the article support member tothe stringer of the raised floor system.